Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, Hopkinsville, KY

Visit the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

1730 E 9th St, Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Significance:

The location of the graves for two prominent Cherokee leaders who died there while traveling the Trail in 1838.

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places, Certified Site

MANAGED BY:

City of Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Amenities

5 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Restroom - Accessible, Wheelchair Accessible

The Commemorative Park was once the location of a winter camp and ration stop along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. Explore exhibits inside the heritage center and along the park’s walking paths which tell the story of the Trail and two prominent Cherokee leaders who died while camped here. Visit the statue garden, flag memorial, and walk a short woodland trail with picnic tables and locations for reflection.

Guests can enter the site by the Hopkinsville Visitors Center on 9th Street. The Trail of Tears Park, displaying the site name in in English and Cherokee along with the National Trail Emblem, marks the entrance. A short drive will lead visitors to a parking lot that will easily accommodate RVs and buses. Visitors are greeted by a flag court flying the American Flag and state flags from each of the nine states touched by the Trail of Tears, as well as a map showing the many routes that make up the Trail. To the right is a bridge crossing the Little River which leads to a walking path, with benches, and picnic areas at the site of the 1838 camp area.

Explore the Heritage Center/ Museum located next to the parking area. This accessible building houses exhibits and artifacts that relate the story of the Trail of Tears, as well as histories of other Northern American Tribes. Outside the Heritage Center is an accessible restroom. Follow the short path next to the Heritage Center, past historical markers and interpretive signs, to a small cemetery. This humble reserve contains the marked graves of two prominent Cherokee leaders, Chief Whitepath and Fly Smith, who died in 1838 while in camp here. Copper statues representing these two, stand near the graves in memoriam.

Site Information

Location (1730 E 9th St, Hopkinsville, KY 42240)

The Park is open dawn to dusk year-round. The Heritage Center/Museum is open seasonally, check the site’s webpage for hours of operation and event information.
 

Safety Considerations

More Site Information

Exhibits Audio Description Available

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Duration:

1 minute, 32 seconds

The Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was once the location of a winter camp and ration stop along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. Explore exhibits inside the heritage center and along the park’s walking paths which tell the story of the Trail and two prominent Cherokee leaders who died while camped here. Visit the statue garden, flag memorial, and walk a short woodland trail with picnic tables and locations for reflection.

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